The president of the Vatican’s Christian unity council joined with a Lutheran delegation in a ceremony at St. Paul’s which showed “that the dialogue between the two communities has become a reality of life and that the ecumenical commitment of the Catholic Church… is irrevocable and irreversible.” Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity participated in the event, which took place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
United Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Germany, led by Bishop Dr. Johannes Friedrich also participated in the event. The group planted and blessed an olive tree as a sign of the ecumenical communion between Catholics and Lutherans.
The tree planting ceremony is part of the “Luther’s Garden” project in Wittenberg, Germany. The garden was opened in 2008, and according to the Lutheran World Federation, is designed to symbolize the “global magnitude of the Reformation,” as well as the “interconnectedness, interaction, and reconciliation between Christian churches.” Different ecclesial groups around the world are being invited to sponsor the 500 trees projected to be planted in the garden, a fitting symbol to the advancement of the ecumenical agenda.
During the event, the Evangelical-Lutheran delegation was received in private audience by Benedict XVI. The Lutheran delegation visited the Vatican for the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s visit to Rome in the year 1510.
Significant of this time, Luther was climbing up Pilate’s staircase on his knees in penance for his sins when he heard a voice say to him: “the just shall live by faith,” a clear indication to him that salvation and forgiveness of sins was through the merits of Christ alone and not the works or deeds of man. (See Romans 1:17). Also at this time the papal indulgences began, the proceeds of which contributed to the construction of St. Peter’s cathedral in Rome. However today, the Lutheran church in homage to the papacy is doing contrary to the teaching of Martin Luther and the Word of God, and is uniting with the apostate Roman Catholic Church.
It seems evident that the road to full, sacramental and ecumenical unity between the Lutheran and the Catholic Churches could be soon.
Zenit News Article
Reformation Article
Thursday, April 21, 2011
President Obama Wonders After… Outside of Rome
On March 23, U.S. President Barack Obama lit a candle at the tomb of Roman Catholic Archbishop Romero in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The reigning archbishop, José Luis Escobar Alas, called the visit a “global event” that could improve the image of the slain Archbishop Romero worldwide. The Salvadorian President Mauricio Funes was also at the event in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The U.S. President’s visit was part of a Latin American tour designed to improve relations and cooperation.
President Obama’s visit points out that though he disagrees with some of the Papacy’s key principles, he still works with them wherever he can. In this case, he is raising the profile of a Roman Catholic hero. One wonders what the Catholic Church will do for him in exchange.
All the world wondered… Revelation 3:4
Zenit News Article
The reigning archbishop, José Luis Escobar Alas, called the visit a “global event” that could improve the image of the slain Archbishop Romero worldwide. The Salvadorian President Mauricio Funes was also at the event in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The U.S. President’s visit was part of a Latin American tour designed to improve relations and cooperation.
President Obama’s visit points out that though he disagrees with some of the Papacy’s key principles, he still works with them wherever he can. In this case, he is raising the profile of a Roman Catholic hero. One wonders what the Catholic Church will do for him in exchange.
All the world wondered… Revelation 3:4
Zenit News Article
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Protestants and Evangelicals Embrace Doctrine of Universalism
“The majority of Protestants and evangelicals believe that good people and people of other religions can go to heaven,” according to Prophecy News Watch.
A survey of 3,000 Americans shows that “American people of faith, though devout, are very tolerant. So much so that most believers also believe that good people, despite their religious affiliation, can go to heaven.”
“Eighty-three per cent of evangelical Protestants and 90 per cent of black Protestants believe good people can go to heaven, and 54 per cent of evangelical Protestants said people of non-Christian religions can go to heaven.”
Universalism is the theological doctrine that all people will eventually be saved despite a relationship with Christ, though the Bible teaches it is the only way to salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” See Acts 4:12.
“Interlocking social networks allows believers to accept tenants of other faiths,” and this is especially true of youths.
Many, once protestant churches, have all-together given up the biblical ideals of salvation and redemption as rooted in Jesus Christ, and have adopted beliefs that are favourable to all and sundry. While the Lord may save those “Gentiles” who “without the law, who do by nature the things” found in the law showing that the law is written in their hearts, it is no excuse for these Gentiles or any other person, to ignore the light of truth in favour of their preferred belief system (See Romans 2:14 – 16).
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27. Scripture teaches that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life:” and that “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me [Jesus].” John 14:6.
A survey of 3,000 Americans shows that “American people of faith, though devout, are very tolerant. So much so that most believers also believe that good people, despite their religious affiliation, can go to heaven.”
“Eighty-three per cent of evangelical Protestants and 90 per cent of black Protestants believe good people can go to heaven, and 54 per cent of evangelical Protestants said people of non-Christian religions can go to heaven.”
Universalism is the theological doctrine that all people will eventually be saved despite a relationship with Christ, though the Bible teaches it is the only way to salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” See Acts 4:12.
“Interlocking social networks allows believers to accept tenants of other faiths,” and this is especially true of youths.
Many, once protestant churches, have all-together given up the biblical ideals of salvation and redemption as rooted in Jesus Christ, and have adopted beliefs that are favourable to all and sundry. While the Lord may save those “Gentiles” who “without the law, who do by nature the things” found in the law showing that the law is written in their hearts, it is no excuse for these Gentiles or any other person, to ignore the light of truth in favour of their preferred belief system (See Romans 2:14 – 16).
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27. Scripture teaches that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life:” and that “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me [Jesus].” John 14:6.
